Irlam 2-1 Widnes

An 88th minute winner from Irlam defender Conor Braithwaite ensured that Widnes FC were knocked out of the Men United Cup as Steve Hill’s side were beaten 2-1 at Silver Street.

Christian Lawlor opened the scoring for Irlam 6 minutes in before Alex Davies netted for the 7th consecutive game, equalising for Widnes shortly before the half-hour mark. A feisty second-half left the game open and there for the taking before Braithwaite headed the winner for the hosts 5 minutes from time.

Buoyed by an impressive win at league leaders Barnton 10 days prior, Widnes came into the game full of confidence with an added extra bit of incentive. Irlam beat Widnes 4-1 earlier in the season and the much-improved visitors were intent on setting the story straight, knowing that a win would set up a lucrative home tie against Runcorn Linnets in the second round.

Steve Hill made two changes to his side that won at Barnton last time out. The unavailability of strikers Tony Wynne and Jamil Campbell-Joseph forced Hill to play somewhat of a 4-6-0 formation, with Ronnie McCarthy returning to the line-up playing in an advanced role alongside wingers Luke Edwards and Alex Davies. Daniel Burthem also came into the midfield, sliding into the middle alongside Danny Lomax and Alessandro Zarrelli. Defender Calum Finch was named amongst the substitutes for Widnes, being made to wait for a debut after signing from Bury Town.

Irlam started the better of the two sides and were rewarded with an early opener. Skipper Ryan Longworth’s cross from the right provided the assist to Christian Lawlor who headed his side into the lead from inside the 6-yard area, guiding the ball past the scrambling Widnes keeper Ben Morrow to give Irlam the early advantage on the scoreboard.

It was a sloppy and somewhat disjointed opening 10 minutes from Widnes, who struggled with ball retention and lacked shape going forward. Widnes eventually came into the game after making a tactical change as Alex Davies moved into a more central role, with Burthem moving out wide allowing McCarthy to slot into a no.10 role.

Irlam should have doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark. Gareth Mooney was presented with a glorious opportunity to give his side a two-goal cushion as he was left one-on-one with Morrow. However, he fluffed his line as he slotted his effort wide of the target.

Widnes punished Mooney and Irlam for failing to double their lead as the Whites equalised roughly 90 seconds later. Luke Edwards went on a marauding run down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of the in-form Alex Davies, who dropped a shoulder before firing a shot into the back of the net beneath Irlam keeper Lee White to record his 7th goal in as many games.

Irlam then had a penalty shout turned down. Kyle Davies looked to have got the better of Danny Lomax who did well to pursue to win the ball back and avert any danger as he tussled with Davies. The hosts’ claims were ignored by referee Mark Hughes, who waved the protests. Minutes later, earlier goalscorer Lawlor fizzed a shot across the face of goal and wide.

Halftime: Irlam 1-1 Widnes

Widnes would have been pleased with their showing in the first period. The first half positioned the game nicely for an exciting second 45 minutes as the win was there for the taking.

Widnes nearly gifted Irlam a second on the hour-mark. Miscommunication between defender Braian Strutz-Rivelli and shot-stopper Morrow lead to a loose ball running towards goal. However, Morrow managed to react quickly as he managed to clear the ball from any danger.

Widnes then went down the other end and struck the post. Alex Davies managed to skip past Richard Peters on the far side and delivered a cross towards the back post that was hooked on to the post by the outstretched Luke Edwards, who was inches away from netting his 4th goal of the season.

Irlam should have restored their lead 20 minutes from time. Another mistake from Strutz-Rivelli set substitute Jordan Southworth on his way as he burst clear through on goal before skewing his effort over in what was a monumental let-off for the visitors.

You got the feeling that the game was leaning in the favour of Irlam as time began to tick away. However, Widnes were still in the game as they continued to be a threat on the counter-attack.

Inside the final 10 minutes, tempers began to flare. Jamie Casson, who minutes earlier had come on as a substitute for Alessandro Zarrelli, appeared to have been on the receiving end of a stamp from an Irlam defender. The incident enraged Widnes, who were baffled by the fact that referee Hughes or his assistant had failed to spot the incident.

Minutes later, Irlam netted the winner. The ball was pumped into the area with Isaac Illidge heading back across the face of goal allowing Conor Braithwaite to nod home a winner, as he got to the ball ahead of Morrow to give his side a very late lead.

Frustrations began to boil over for Widnes, as Edwards flew into a hard challenge on Irlam’s Liam Morrison. Edwards was a shown a yellow card as tempers once again flared.

As the game went into stoppage time, Widnes were knocking on the door that just wouldn’t open as Irlam managed to hold on to knock Steve Hill’s side out of the Men United Cup.

Fulltime: Irlam 2-1 Widnes

Speaking after the game, manager Hill was pleased with his side’s performance despite the defeat. “It was a very competitive game. Irlam have won 7 on the bounce now and we’ve really raised our game over the past couple of games so they’re a good indication of where we need to be. We need to maintain our performance levels and if we play like that for the remainder of the season, then we won’t be that far away.”

Alex Davies once again found the net for Widnes, bagging his 7th goal in as many games. Hill was full of praise for Davies following the game. “Tremendous performance. I’m made up for the kid. He puts the hard work in and given the fact that he now has 7 goals is excellent, and that can only benefit him.”

Irlam: White, Cassell, Peters, Longworth (C), Braithwaite, Kpohogmou, Mooney, Russell (Illidge 66), Lawlor (Southworth 52), Morrison, Davies (Burgess 88).

Subs not used: Adams, Grimshaw.

Widnes: Morrow, Chojnicki, Carney, Strutz-Rivelli, Mitchell (C), Zarrelli (Casson 76), Davies, Lomax, McCarthy, Burthem, Edwards.

Subs not used: Williams, Finch, Hartley.